Thermoelectric controller for radiator shutters



Oct. 12 1926. 1,603,043

J. J. csnasNEYI 4 THERMOELECTRIC CONTROLLER FOR RADIATOR SHUTTERS Filed MV 14 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 12 1926'.

` J. J. GlBNr-:Y

THRMOELECTRIC CONTROLLER FOR RADIATOR SHUTTERS Filed Mav 14, 1924 2 sheets-sheet 2 Hl l w M Ul W l IH 4H H IIIII Patented oct. 12, 1926.

UNITED STATES JAMES J'. GIBNEY, OIE MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

THERMOELECTRIC CONTROLLER FOR RADIATOR SHUTTERS.

Applinafmn med may 14,1924. serial No. 713,358.

My invention provides an extremely simple and highly eiiicient thermo-electric controller `for temperature-controlling devices, such as shutters or dampers used to 5 protect automobile radiators from the cooling action of the air. Generally stated, the

' invention consists of the novel devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

3 'lhis thermo-electric controller, under the presently noted four dierent conditions, will operate as follows: 1. When the radiator is cold and the engine is idle, the shutters will be held closed; 2. When the 5 radiator is cold and the engine isF running, the shutters will be held closed; 3.'VVhen the radiator is hot and the engine is running, the shutters will be held open; and 4. Even if the radiator is hot, the shutters will be l closed and held closed. Otherwise and more briefly stated, the only time that the shutters will be opened is .when the engine is running and the radiator is hot or hot beyond a predetermined maximum temperature for which 5 the thermostat of the controller is set to operate for opening of the shutters. The term shutters7 is herein used in a broad enough sense to include any kind of a device that, when closed, will cut olf or reduce the supply of air to the radiator and which, when opened, will permit a free or more free supply to the radiator.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a coiV mercial form of the thermo-electric controller, arranged to operate as .above generally outlined.

Referring to these drawings, wherein 4like characters indicate like parts throughout the several Views,

o Fig. 1 is an elevation, looking at the rear face of a shutter and frame structure equipped with the improved thermo-electric controller;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation illus- 5 trating certain parts shown on a smaller scale at the upper left-hand corner of Fig. 1

Fig'. 3 is a horizontal section on the line f5- 3 of Fig. 2 some parts being shown in `0 Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line of Fig. 2, some parts being shown. in full; and

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the complete controller.

i5 The numeral 6 indicates the plate-like shutter frame adapted to be secured to the front of the radiator in any suitable way, I

with its large central opening positioned tol deliver air directly against the radiator. 'Ihis frame is provided with a plurality of shutters 7 secured to shafts 8 mounted in anges 9 of said frame and provided at their upper ends with small cranks 10 that are pivoted to a connecting rod in the form of a thrust bar 11. The thrust bar 11 is provided with an upstanding pin 12 having a laterally bent end that works in a slot 13 of an impelling arm 14 ivoted to the frame 6. At its free lower en the impelling arm 14' is connected by a pin 15 to the lower end of an impelling spring 16, the upper end of which is anchored to the top of the frame 6 at such point that said arm 14 will bev moved from one side to the other of a dead center in respect to said spring when the shutters are moved from closed to open position, or, conversely, from open to closed position. The impelling arm 14 and impelling spring 16, as will hereinafter more fully appear, constitute what may very properly be designated as a motion-completing device operating whenever the arm 14 is moved in either direction, slightly beyond a dead center in respect to the spring 16, to complete the movement of the shutters either toward closed or open position, according to the direction in which such motion has been started by a reciprocating electromagnetic motor` presently to be described.

The reciprocating electromagnetic motor for imparting the above indicated movements of the shut-ters comprises a pair of axially aligned solenoids or electromagnetic coils 17 and 18, anda cooperating reciproeating plunger 19. Between the solenoids, the plunger 19 has a rearwardly attached laterally projecting finger 201, the extended end of which works through a perforation in the shutter-connecting rod 11. It may now be timely stated that when the solenoid 17 is energized the plunger 19 will be magnetically drawn toward the right far enough to cause the impelling arm 14 to be moved slightly to the right of a dead center' in respect to the impelling spring 16, and thereupon, said spring 16 will complete'the move- .ment ofthe shutters to closed positions; and

onV the other hand, when the solenoid 18 is energized, the plunger 19 will be moved far enough toward the left to carry the impelling arm 14 slightly to the left of a dead cenllo ter in respect to the impelling spring 16, and thereupon, said spring will complete the movement of the shutters t o wide open positions.

The numeral 21 indicates a switch-actiiating solenoid or electromagnetic coil that is connected in the ignition circuit 22 of the automobile engine, and the numeral 23 indicates diagrammatically the ignition circuit switch. Working in the solenoid 21 is a cooperating plunger 24 that is yieldingly pressed outward or toward the left, in respect to the drawings, by a spring 25. The solenoid 21 and plunger 24 constitute what may be properly designated as a reciprocating electromagnetic switch motor.

The plunger 24 has an axially projecting stem 26 shown as equipped with contactoperating flanges 27 and 28. When the ignition switch 23 is open, as will be the case when the engine is c ut out of action, the solenoid 21 will be deenergized and the spring 25 will then hold the plunger 24 in its projected position toward the left, as shown in the drawings, and under these conditions, the flange 28 will press a yielding contact 29 into engagement with a fixed Contact 30; but when the ignition switch 23 is closed, as will be the case when the engine is in action, the solenoid 21 will be energized and the plunger 24 will be drawn inward or toward the right, thereby causing the flange 27 to press a yielding contact 31 into engagement with a relatively fixed contact 32. l

The numeral 33 indicates the plunger-like reciprocating member of an advance set reversing switch,- which, as shownis arranged to slide through the outstanding flanges of a small bearing plate 34 secured to the top of the frame 6. This plunger 33 has spaced collars 35 adapted to be engaged alternately by a laterally projecting pin 36 carried by the left-hand end of the shutterconnecting rod 11. The distance between the collars 35 is such that the pin 36 will be engaged therewith only by the final part of the movement of the connecting rod l1 toward the right or toward the left and. hence, only relatively short movements will be imparted t o l said switch plunger 33. When the connecting rod 11 is moved to its extreme toward the right to close the sluitters, the pin 36, engaging the right-hand collar 35, will force the right-hand end of the plunger 33 into electrical engagement with two electrical contacts 37 and 38, the latter ot' which is electrically connected to the above noted contact 32. When the connecting rod 11 is moved to its extreme position toward the left to open the shut-ters, the pin 36 will engage the left-hand collar 35 and will force the lett-hand end of the plunger 33 into electrical engagement with cooperating contacts 39 and 40, the latter of which is electrically connected to the above noted electrical contact 30. From what has been said, it will be understood that at least the ends of the switch plunger 33 are metallic or electrical conductors.

As the primary controlling element of the thermo-electric controller or controlling means, I employ a thermostat that is of a well known commercial form, comprising a pair of relatively fixed but adjustable contacts 41 and 42 and a cooperating thermally moved or eXpansible contact 43. This thermostat will be suitably supported quite close to the radiator and may be conveniently supported by the frame 6 but preferably Will be supported just at the rear of the radiator. The'numeral 44 indicates a battery or source of electrical energy, which, by a wire 45, isgrounded on one side through the metallic structure of the automobile.

In the arrangement illustrated, the inner terminals of the solenoids 17 and 18 are grounded through wires 46 and 47, in the latter of which is placed a normally closed circuit breaker 48. The circuit breaker 48 has nothing yto do with the ordinary control of' the shutters, but is of a thermo-electric metal and is of such character that when subjected to a current, which, because of continued time of action, might possibly burn out the solenoids 17 or 18,`will expand and cut the said coils entirely out of action. In the further description of this case, the circuit breaker 48 will be considered as reniaining closed.

It has been noted that one side of the bat- 1 tery 44is grounded and it may be now noted that-'the other side of said battery is connected by a wire 49 to the contact 29 and by a wire 50 to the movable element 43 of the controlling thermostat. The right-hand terminal of the solenoid 17 is connected by a wire 51 to the contact 39 and the left-hand end of the solenoid 18 is connected by a wire 52 to the contact 31. A thermostat Contact 41 is connected by a wire 53 to the contact 37 and the thermostat contact 42 is connected by a wire 54 to the contacts 30 and 40.

Sum/mary 0 f operai/fon.

that the contacts 31 and 32 are separated l and the contacts 29 and 30 are engaged; the final movement of the shutter-connecting bar 11 toward the right has engaged the plunger 33 of the reversing switch with the contacts 37 and 38; and the thermostat contact 43, underthe relatively low temperature then existing, has engaged the contact 42. The condition just now 'described is that referred to above and designated as condition 1, radiator cold and engine idle.

Condition 2, radiator cold and engine running: When the engine is started into action, the ignition switch 23 must, of course, be closed and this `will energize the solenoid 21 and cause the plunger 24 to be moved toward the right, therebyT permitting separation of the contacts 29 and 30 and causing the contact 31 to be pressed into engagement with the Contact 32; and this Would close the circuit through the solenoid 18, except for the fact that, because of the still existing low temperature, the battery circuit to the solenoid 18 is still open between the contacts 43 and 41. Hence, starting ofthe engine into action does not cause opening of the shutters but leaves the same still closed, and this condition will prevail all the time that the engine is running, unless the temperature of the radiator exceeds the maximum desired temperature and thereby causes the thermostat contact 43 to engage the contact 41.

' Condition 3, radiator hot while engine is running: If the radiator becomes overheated while the engine is running, the

thermostat contact 43 engages the contact 4 1 and then thesolenoid 18, which is always grounded and connected to the battery on one side, becomes connected to the other side of said battery through the wire 52, contacts 31, 32, 38, 37, wire 53, Contact 41, contact 43 and wire 50. When said solenoid 18 is thus energized, it moves the plunger 19 toward the left, causing the latter.l through the shutter-connecting bar 11, to move the impelling arm 14 slightly to the left of its dead center in respect to the' impelling spring 16, and thereupon, said spring 16 coinplc'tes the opening` movement of the shutters, arfd as the connecting rod 11 approaches the-'limit of movement toward the left, it moves the' reversing switch plunger 33 out of engagement with the contacts 37 and 38 and into engagement with the contacts 39 and 40. The movementA of the plunger 33 just noted breaks the circuit through thesolenoid 18 immediately after ythe latter has performed its function-of moving the impelling arm 14 past its dead center and subjecting thel same to the motion-completing action of the impelling spring 16.

Condition 4,. radiator hot and the engine idle: When the engine is cut out of then being engaged with said contacts39" and 40), through the contacts l30 and 29, through the wire 49 to the battery 44 and to the ground. lVhen the solenoid 17 is thus energized, it moves the impelling arm 14 slightly to the right of a Idead center in respect to the impelling spring 16, and there- .upon said impelling spring completes the movement ofthe connnecting rod 11 toward the right and completes the closing movement of the shutters; and as said connecting4 rod approaches the limit of its movement toward the-right, it causes the reversing plunger 33 to disengage from the contacts 39 and 40 and again'engage with the contacts 37 and 38. This reestablishes the normal condition illustrated in Fig. 5 and herein designated as Condition 1, except for the fact that the radiator being hot, the contact 43 will be engaged with the Contact 41. It will be further noted that, as soon as the solenoid 17 has performed its function of imparting initial movement to the shutters and connecting rod, it is, by the action of the reversing switch plunger 33, cut out of action. If, under the conditions just noted and while the radiator is still excessively hot and the contact 43 is engaged with the contact 41, the motor should be started into action by closing of the ignition switch 23,

the solenoid 18 will be again energized, causing the shutters to be opened, but as long as the ignition switch 23 is opened, the shut ters will remain closed, for the reason that at such time, neither engagement of thev ccntact 43 with the contact 41 or with the contact 42 will close the circuit through either of the solenoids 17 or '18.

In actual practice, the device above described has been found thoroughly7 reliable and highly efiicient for the purposes had in View. It is of simple construction and of such nature that it may be quickly and easily applied at comparatively small cost to any and all automobiles having radiators or, for that matter, might be applied to air-cooled engines, for it is onlyv necessary to arrange the themostat where it will be properly subject to the varying temperature produced b v the engine.

That I claim is: e

1. The combination with a radiator shutter and a reciprocating member for operating the same, of electromagnetic means for imparting initial movements to said member toward closed or open positions of said shutter. and u motion-completing device arranged to be actuated by said member and operating to complete the movements of the shutter toward open and closed positions.

2. The structure defined in claim l in further combination with a thermostatic switch and a divided circuit for reversely operating said electromagnetic means.

3. The structure deiined in claim 1 in further combination with a thermostatic switch and a divided circuit for reversely operating said electromagnetic means, said divided electric circuit. including a reversing switch arranged to be operated by the shutter-actuating means to break the circuit through said electromagnetic means, following each operation.

4. The combination with a radiator shutter, of a reciprocating electromagnetic motor, the movable member of which has connections for operating said shutter toward open and closed positions, a thermostat, a divided circuit controlled by said thermostat and arranged to reverse the action of said electromagnetic motor, a shunt circuit including a switch which when closed closes that side of said electromagnetic motor that causes the shutter to close, a second switch in that side of the circuit connection to said electromagnetic motor that causes said shutter to open, an ignition circuit including an electromagnet, and a switch-actuating element subject to said electromagnet and operating to close said first noted switch when said ignition circuit is open and to close said second switch when the ignition circuit is closed, whereby the shutter will remain closed at all times except when the engine is running and the radiator or motor is hot.

5.' The structure deined in claim 4c in further combination with an advance set reversing switch arranged to alternately close the circuits to the opposite sides of said electromagnetic motor and to break said circuits immediately after the motor has performed its immediate function.

6. The structure defined in claim t in further combination with a motion-completing device operative to complete the opening and closing movements of the shutter when moved by said electromagnetic motor beyond a predetermined position.

The structure defined in claim 4 in further combination with an advance set reverse switch arranged to alternately close the circuits to the opposite sides of said electromagnetic motor and to break the circuits immediately after the motor has performed its immediate function, and a motion-completing device operating to complete the opening and closing movements of the shutter when moved by said electric motor beyond a. predetermined position.

8. The combination with a radiator shutter and a reciprocating member for operating the same, of two solenoids and cooperating plunger having a connection for operating said member, one of said solenoids operating as a shutter-closing solenoid and the other operating as a shutter-opening solenoid, said solenoids being grounded o n one Side, a three-contact thermostat, a lead connecting the shutter-closing solenoid to the cold side ot' the thermostat, a lead connecting the shutter-opening solenoid to the hot side of the thermostat, a source of electrical energy connected to the movable contact of said thermostat, a crank arm attached to said member, and a cooperating impelling spring movable from one side to the other of a dead center, by said crank arm, to complete the shutter opening and closing movement.

9. The combination with a radiator shutter and a reciprocating member for operating the same, of two solenoids and cooperating plunger having a connection for operating said member, one of said solenoids operating as a shutter-closing solenoid and the other 'operating as a shutter-opening solenoid, said solenoids being grounded on one side, a three-contact thermostat, a lead connecting the shutter-closing solenoid to the cold side oi the thermostat, a lead connecting the shutter-opening solenoid to the hot side of the thermostat, a source of electrical energy connected to the movable'contact of said thermostat, an advance set reversing switch operated by said member and arranged to alternately close and open the leads to the opposite sides of said thermostat and to open the circuits of said two solenoi ds after they have performed their immediate functions.

10. The combination with a radiator shutter, of a reciprocating electromagnetic motor.v the movable member of which has connections for operating said shutter toward open andclosed positions, a thermostat, a divided circuit having leads connecting its hot and cold sides to the reverse sides of said electromagnetic motor, for reversely reciprocating the same, a shunt circuit connecting the cold side of said thermostat to the source of electrical energy, a normally open switch in the lead from the hot side of said thermostat, a normallv closed switch in said shunt circuit, and autrimatic means whereby when the engine is in action, said normally open switch will be closed and said normally closed switch will be opened.

1].. The combination with a radiator shutter, of a reciprocating electromagnetic motor, the movable member of which has connections for operating said shutter toward open and closed positions, a thermost-at, a divided circuit having leads connecting its hot and cold sides to the reverse sides of said electromagnetic motor. for reversely reciprocating the same, a shunt circuit connecting the cold side of said thermostat to the source of electrical energy, a normally open switch in the lead from the hot side of said thermostat, a normally 12. The `structure defined, in claim 10 in further combination with an advance set reversing switch arranged to be operated bv the shutter-actuating means and operating to alternately close the circuit leads to the opposite sides of said electromagnetic motor and to break said circuits immediately after said motor has performed its immediate function.

13. The structure defined in claim 11 in further combination with an advance set reversing switch arranged to be operated by the shutter-.actuating means and operating to alternately close the circuit leads to the opposite sides of said electromagnetic motor and to break said circuits immediately after said lnotor has performed its immediate function.

14. The structure defined in claim in rfurther combination with an advance set switch arranged to be operated by the shutter-actuating means and operating to alternately close the circuit leads 'to the opposite sides oflsaid electromagnetic motor and to break said circuitsimmediately after said motor hasperformed its immediate function, and a mechanical motion-completing device operative to complete the opening and closing movements of the shutter when moved by said electromagnet beyond a predetermined position.

15. The structure defined in claim 11 in further combination with an advance set reversing switch arranged to be operated by the shutter-actuating means and operating to alternately close the circuit leads to the opposite sides of said electromagnetic motor and to break said circuits immediately after said motor has performed its immediate function, and in further combination with a mechanical motion-completing device operative to complete the opening and closing movements of the shutter when moved b v said electromagnet beyond a predetermined position.

16. The structure defined in claim 1 in JAMES J. GIBNEY. 

